Like many places in America, Worcester
has few choices – bootstrap yourself up or cry about it
and decline even further.
We are reinventing ourselves day-by-day,
venue-by-venue, new arts groups, new social opportunities,
better quality of life, putting stimulus money to work
refreshing tired infrastructure. Building great new
restaurants and galleries. Electing politicians who “get
it!” Educating a new generation of folks who want a better
life.
Worcester is certainly not alone in this
– for the past few weeks I’ve seen articles on the up
and coming arts scene in the industrial ruins of Detroit, a
vibrant new food culture in diverse places like Portland ME,
Philadelphia, PA, Traverse City, MI, and many others.
Editor in Chief Dana Cowin of Food and
Wine website writes, “A list (all editors love lists) of
seven things a city needs to be considered an amazing food
destination. Here are my seven criteria:
-
Markets that make great ingredients
accessible.
-
Artisan stores dedicated to singular
perfection: bread, espresso, chocolate, ice cream.
-
An exciting wine scene and
interesting sommeliers.
-
Sophisticated cocktail programs and
bar chefs.
-
A new generation of young chefs with
fresh ideas.
-
Destination restaurants.
-
Maverick chefs.
I couldn’t agree more, a great food
scene is an underpinning to a solid rebirth. Worcester is
closing in on all of the seven criteria on the list. New
restaurants of all description, farmer’s markets, nearby
artisan producers of cheese, grass fed beef, organic
produce, and forage items like mushrooms and fiddleheads.
The bar scene is returning (to be sure, you can still get a
Bud Lite or a CC and Seven – or a custom designed
cocktail, or even an absinthe tasting!)
Worcester has groups like Worcester Local
First, Arts Worcester, and “WOO” The Worcester Cultural
Coalition oversees the WOO Card - a program designed to open
the door to Worcester County's vibrant cultural community.
Cardholders receive discounts and special offers for cool
concerts, dynamic theater, unique museums, magical music,
street festivals, outdoor adventures and more - throughout
Worcester County, throughout the year!
Well, “absinthe makes the heart grow
fonder” and how could you not love an underdog city rising
from the ashes of off-shored jobs, closed steel mills,
vacant department stores, and Wal-Mart’s springing up on
the outskirts!
Unrelated Note:
Trufocals; the subject of last month’s column, are now to
be called Superfocus, same fine product but with a new more
meaningful name attached.
